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Historical Developments in Animal Biotechnology

Historical Developments in Animal Biotechnology Animal biotechnology has a rich history, dating back thousands of years. While modern techniques have accelerated advancements, the fundamental principles of manipulating animal genetics for specific purposes have been practiced for centuries.   Early Domestication and Selective Breeding (8000 BCE) Domestication: Humans began domesticating animals like dogs, sheep, and cattle, selecting traits that were beneficial for their needs. Selective Breeding: This practice involved breeding animals with desired characteristics to produce offspring with those traits, leading to the development of various breeds.   Artificial Insemination (1784) Early Attempts: Italian scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani conducted experiments in the late 18th century, successfully impregnating a dog using artificial insemination. Commercial Adoption: Artificial insemination became more widely used in the 20th century, especially in agriculture, to i...

Definition, scope, and importance of Animal Biotechnology

Definition of Animal Biotechnology Animal biotechnology refers to the use of scientific techniques and tools to modify living organisms or their products for specific human purposes, especially in agriculture, medicine, and environmental management. In this field, modern technologies like genetic engineering, cloning, and molecular markers are applied to enhance or alter animals' genetics for improved production, disease resistance, or therapeutic purposes. In simpler terms, animal biotechnology uses scientific methods to improve the health, productivity, or traits of animals for human benefit. Scope of Animal Biotechnology The scope of animal biotechnology is vast, and it covers many areas of application: 1. Genetic Engineering: Transgenic Animals : Animals are genetically modified to carry genes from other species. This can improve livestock production, such as making cows resistant to diseases or increasing milk production. Gene Editing : Tools like CRISPR-Cas9 can modify animal...

Upstream and Downstream Processing

Upstream Processing in Biotechnology: An Overview Upstream processing refers to the initial stages of biotechnological production, focusing on the preparation and cultivation of biological materials, such as cells, microorganisms, or enzymes, to produce the desired product. It is the first phase in the overall bioprocessing chain, followed by downstream processing , which involves product recovery and purification. Key Stages of Upstream Processing Inoculum Development : The process begins with the preparation of the inoculum, which is a small volume of the organism (bacteria, yeast, animal cells, etc.) that will be used to start the large-scale culture. The goal is to ensure that the inoculum is healthy and in the right growth phase for successful scale-up. Media Preparation : The culture medium is prepared, containing all the nutrients required for the growth and metabolism of the organism. Depending on the organism and the product, the medium can include carbon sources (glucose, su...